A new Military Archives facility befitting the 21st century to be constructed in Slovakia

Today, Defence Minister Jaroslav Naď along with Finance Minister Igor Matovič, Mayor of Trnava Peter Bročko and Chairman of the Trnava Self-Governing Region Jozef Viskupič introduced a construction project for a new Military Archives facility on the outskirts of Trnava. The new Military Archives will be constructed on a piece of land owned by the Ministry of Defence. The old Military Archives, located in a historic building complex in the centre of the city, is in serious disrepair and therefore poses a risk of damage to archival documents.

Speaking at a press conference at the Military Archives in Trnava, Jaroslav Naď said: “The Military Archives Registry staff have been doing invisible work, yet still their work is of exceptional importance. It takes 33km of shelving to store the historical records of the Military Archives, including the service records of the Anti-Nazi Resistance fighters. Unfortunately, this building complex is in serious disrepair, since almost no money has been invested in it for years.”

Mr Naď described it as literally every interior space of the Military Archives is being used for storing and preserving archival material, except for the spaces exposed to high levels of humidity. As a result, a number of archive storage rooms can no longer serve their purpose. He continued: “Thanks to cooperation between the Ministry of Defence, the Ministry of Finance, Trnava City Council and the Trnava Administrative District, Slovakia will have a new Military Archives facility befitting the 21st century.”

According to the minister, the new Military Archives will be divided into administrative spaces, storerooms and depots for documentation, with at least 41 km of shelving to store Registry records. In addition to this, the Military Archives will house a data storage centre for electronic Registry records and premises for storage of classified files. The new project envisages eco friendly solutions – including green roofs, solar panels, and a rainwater harvesting system with autonomous irrigation technology.

The project budget is estimated at €23.7m. The new Military Archives is likely to be completed in 2025. Architect & Engineering services to develop a conceptual design & technical design of the facility as well as construction works to the Military Archives will be put out to tender.

The existing Military Archives has been housed in a historical building complex in Trnava's University Square since 1967. The property, originally dating back to 1615, was transferred over to the military in 1780 after being used by the former University of Trnava. Until the breakup of Czechoslovakia, the Military Archives was home to all personal records of Czechoslovak citizens. Since the breakup of Czechoslovakia, the Military Archives has also held classified and unclassified Registry files from the Slovak Armed Forces.

For their historic, architectural and artistic value, the buildings of the Military Archives in Trnava have been declared a National Heritage Site. This means the building complex cannot be upgraded to house a modern Military Archives, and, therefore, needs a suitable replacement.